224 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



This double-coated race of goats in these Turkish and Persian districts ia 

 also colored black, brown, golden, light dun, grey, and piebald. The colors 

 of the two goats do not necessarily correspond, black hair commonly over- 

 laying brown wool ; others dill'er more or less in depth of shade. Goats of this 

 breed are sometimes mixed with the wbite-hau-cd goats, especially when a 

 remarkable flock-leader is desired. 



The articles of clothing woven and knit from this wool seem to combine in a 

 great degree the qualities which are so much desired in shawls, viz : lightness, 

 softness, and warmth. 



So much, briefly, for the goats of Angora. We shall now consider their 

 inti-oduction, adaptation, and value to this country. 



INTRODUCTION OF THESE GOATS INTO THE UNITED STATES. 



Various attempts have been made to introduce and breed this fine wool- 

 bearing goat into France, England, and Sweden, with only partial success, 

 however, until of late a very valuable cross between the Cashmere, Angora, 

 and common goat has been obtained, producing an acclimated, fine-fleeced 

 animal, from the wool of which some of the finest shawls, velvets, cloths, 

 worsted, and de laines are now manufoctured in France and England. 



In the Reports of the " Societe Imperial d'Acclimation" full and interesting 

 descriptions are given of the various reported flocks in France and Europe 

 from 1787 to the beautiful flock presented by Abd el Kader to the Emperor, 

 the care of which has been made a national aff"air. Nothing of interest to the 

 world in their habits, progress, or success has been lost ; and of all her indus- 

 trial pursuits France has considered this of prime importance, and to no other 

 anitnal has she given more exclusive attention, with the hope of obtaining and 

 possessing the "golden fleece," and upon no other has there been more dis- 

 cussion in the difi'erent scientific societies, her naturalists and scientific men 

 always taking the lead until remunerative success has rewarded their expendi- 

 tures and labors. Some of these improved specimens we had the pleasure of 

 seeing in France, and can bear testimony to their beauty. In England and 

 Sweden, by the last reports, success was attending those experimenting in the 

 Angora crosses, and good results anticipated. 



Nowhere, however, has their introduction and breeding been attended with 

 the same cheering results and decided success as in our own country, and this 

 after thorough toil and practical experiments during the last fifteen years, 

 when seven were first impoi'ted by Dr. Davis into South Carolina. Since that 

 some three hundred head have been imported from Angora at various times 

 and seasons, via Constantinople and Boston, mainly for the south and south- 

 west, from which, with their crosses, a numerous progeny and various small 

 flocks have descended, now numbering several thousands, and scattered from 

 Massachusetts to California, yet still mainly confined to the southM'estern 

 States in flocks of from twelve to three hundred, and more, as at Atlanta, 

 Georgia; Gallatiii and Nashville, Tennessee; Russellville, Frankfort, Paris, 

 and Georgetown, Kentucky; Greenville, Lebanon, Montgomery, and Bucyrus, 

 Ohio ; Green county, Indiana ; Chicago, Decatur, and Evanston, Illinois ; St. 

 Louis, Maramec, and Fayette, Missouri ; Baltimore, Maryland ; LeavcnAvorth, 

 Kansa.s ; Brownsville, Pittsburg, Washington, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; 

 New York ; Boston, Belmont, Massachusetts ; Austin, Texas ; Iowa, Michigan, 

 Minnesota, and California, with other localities, where they have been tho- 

 roughly tried, prospered, and improved. 



We have either personally visited and examined most of the above-named 

 localities and flocks, seen or obtained animals or specimens of the wool, com- 

 paring them with what we saw abroad and the best specimens of wool to be 

 obtained from abroad, or the best imported ones, and are well satisfied aod 



